A question came up during a casual round last week. Is it ok to hold onto an object (tree) in order to obtain balance and not fall forward? Does the object need to be behind you, or can you hold onto an object that is infront of you?

It depends a bit on what the object behind you that you're holding onto is, because of the rule Furthur quoted. A solid tree trunk or branch is fine because that won't move a notable amount but something like a palm frond would be illegal because you're causing unnecessary movement to the area around your lie while take a stance.

Discussion: The rules do not require that you maintain your balance while putting. You can have a grand mal seizure as long as you don't step ahead of your lie. At the time you decide to step ahead of your lie is when you have to demonstrate balance. This is simply to prove that you are not committing a falling putt, such that you would not be able to stop yourself from falling forward due to the motion of your putt. Grabbing a branch is merely acquiring another support point, which is perfectly legal, as long as it is not ahead of your lie.

Holding on to something BEHIND your lie is not prohibited by the rules, provided that the tree that the golfer is using as a supporting point is in-bounds (803.03.A (3)). The branch must not be moved, or else the player would be in violation of one or both of 803.04.D and 803.05.A, which require you to take the stance that results in the least movement of objects that are part of the course and which prohibit you from moving a branch to "make room for a throwing motion".

No problem leaning or holding onto something behind your lie like a tree trunk. In fact, you can have your caddy or other player hold your hand if you're trying to throw from a precarious position on a creek bank for example. But as pointed out, you can't hold onto something that is part of the course that might move or bend.

Fritz wrote:I always though supporting yourself on trees and such was against the rules.... Under the Stance rules. 803.04 - 803.05...

I don't see anything in 803.04-05 that would prevent someone from using a tree (or park equipment, etc) that's behind the marker as a supporting point, so long as they're not moving it?

Fritz wrote:The way I see it, is if leaning or holding onto a tree or object behind you, allows you to have a better lie, but using means that are not natural to a stance would result in an unfair lie?

I'm trying to parse this? If you're leaning on the tree or object behind you, and your supporting point is in bounds, and the tree/branch isn't going to move when you support yourself on it, then what's unnatural about that or makes your lie better? You're not building up the lie (ie: putting rocks in casual water to keep your feet dry).